Metal bending press



April 19, 1932. l F. slcKLl-:R ET AL 1,854,630r

METAL BENDING PRESS i Patented pr. 19, 1.932

` UNITED STATES ra'llfEl-a'rl oFF-ica LEE F. SICKLER, F AIMIESBURY, ANDIPETER J'. LINSTBH', 0F 'MEDFOBIL MASSACHUSETTS 'MET-AI. emma Pansa i i i Application tiled December 18, 19810. Serial No. 502,080.

l This invention relates to metal bending presseswherein a ram cooperates with a die to bend an edge or edges of a metal plate therebetween in two 'directions to form the edge or edges into substantially U-shape, and whilewe have particularly developed the apparatus herein disclosed for use in constructing automobile window panels, it is clear that the ysame is adapted to other like uses within lo the scope of the invention. The bending of metal sheets by acting thereon in two directions to form U-shaped edges of this nature has heretofore commonly required the use of l two or more mechanisms and two or more dis-` tinct operations, and one of the objects of our invention is to provide a'single mechanism which will o erate thereon in two directions and thereby orm these edges into U-shape in a single pressing operation.

In accordance with our invention, a" rectangular window panel frame having edge portions thereof extending intothe opening in the frame is supported on a die, the inner edges of which are undercut.v A ram coop'- erates with the die and is adapted to iirst engage said edge portions to bend them downi wardly and thereafter move relatively outward in a manner forcing the downwardly bent edge portions beneath said undercut die edges, the two direction movement of the bending elements thereby forming the blank edges into U shape about the undercut die edges. Upon upward movement of the ram, reverse movement is given to the bending elements, whereby they freely withdraw from the die. The invention furthermore includes means for so movably mounting the undercut portions of the die that the same may be moved to a position. permitting removal of the fin- 4G 50 drawings are not to be construed as deished work and, in accordance with the preferred form lof our invention, these portionsA ining orvlimiting the scope of the invention, thev claims appended -hereto. being relied upon for that purpose;

Referring to the figures of the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a bending press embodying our invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view thereof showing one step in the operation;

Fig. 3 is a like view showing a further step in the operation;

Fig. 4 is a plan sectional view taken on line 4-4'of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view'of a. ,work piece after being treated by our press;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of one of the bending elements;

Fig. Tis a perspective view of a detail and Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view showing how the finished work is released from the die.

We have in the accompanying drawings illustrated the applicationof our invention to certain steps in the formation of automobile window panels. Such a panel frame 10 comprises a sheet metal plate having arelatively large opening 12 therein. Th work piece is shown in Fig. 1 in the shape in which it is presented to the mechanism of our invention, it having been ,previously formedI to this shape by other mechanism. It will be noted that the sheet has been depressed entirely therearound at 14 and vhas downwardly bent edge portions 16 and connected edge portions l8extendingtlierefrom into the' opening 12. The function of the mechanism comprising our invention is to bend the inwardly extending portions 18 from the position shown in Fig. 1 tothe position shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 8 in one operation or stroke of the machine.y We will now proceed to describe this mechanism as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Our invention, .as/shown in Fig; 1 comprises a die20 and a cooperating ram 22. Surrounding an opening 24 in the die are four work holding elements 26 and 28, each pivoted to the dielat 30 and normally resting iirmly thereon, as in Fig. 1. The elements 26 are relatively long andioppositel'y disposed ytherefrom a plurality and support around which the work piece is the collars 44. as in Fig.

and the elements 28 are relatively short and oppostely disposed at the ends of the elements 26, the four elements being of a size and their top surfaces so shaped as to 'receive the work piece 10 in close cooperation thereon and with the portion 18 extending inwardly of the openings 12 and 24. The inner portions of the elements 26 and 28 are undercut at 32 to provide anvls 34 to be bent. The ram 22 has extending downwardly of bolts, three such bolts 36 being over each element 26- and two bolts 37 being over each element 28. On the lower end of each bolt is a relatively long 1ocating stud 38 adapted to engagein cooperating holes 40 in the die. Each bolt also has an intermediate guide portion 42 and a collar 44 at the junction thereof with the stud. Supported on the three bolts 36 adjacent to each side element 26 is a relatively long bending element 46 and likewise supported on each pair of bolts 37 adjacent to each element 28 is a relatively short bending element 47 each of these elements having a stop portion 48 engaging the collars 44 and an inclined surface 50 engaging like inclined surfaces on the collars. The portions 42 of the bolts extend through elongated slots 51 in the elements 46 and 47. A plate 52, guided on the bolt portion 42, rests on the elements 46 and' in con'- junction with springs 54 between the plate and ram normally keeps the elements in a 'tion wherein the shoulders 48 rest against 1. This plate 52 has an elongated central portion 53 integral therewith land normally1 extending down-y wardlv to a position slightlywbelow the members 46 and 47 when the ram is in its raised position. v

Cooperating with inclined surfaces on the 4elements 46 and 47. and parallel with the surfaces 50. are four blocks 56 secured to the ram bv bolts 60. each block having two .inclined surfaces 61 and 62 respectively engaging cooperating inclined surfaces 63 and 64 on the elements 46 and 47 These blocks are slidablv supported in openings in the plate 52. Work clamping elements 66 connected to and operated bv the ram in any convenient manner are provided for holding the work against the die during the operations thereon. It will be noted' that the elements 26 and 28 are illustrated as pivotally mounted whereby they can be moved from the position shown vin Fig.v 3 to the position shown in Fig. 8,v for the purpose of permitting removal of the finished work therefrom, and in accordance with the mechanism which I will now describe these elements are preferably automatically so moved for this purpose. Extending rearwardly from each element 26 and 28 is a stud 68 withwhich cooperates a lever 70 pivoted on a bracket 72 secured' to the die. A spring 74 normallyI keeps the lever enga ed against its lug, as il ustr'ated. Carried y each work clampin element 66 is al downwardly extending bar 6 havin a hook 78 on its lower end and this hookA 1s so lo' cated that it engages the outer end of its lever 70 on both the upward .and downward strokes of the ram. The hook is beveled at 80 whereby it rides over the lever on the downward stroke. On each uplward stroke of the ram, the hooks engage t e levers and cause the elements 26 and '28 to pivot upwardly to the work releasing position shown in Fig. 8.

The operation of the device is substantially as follows. When the ram 22 is in raised position, the work p iece 10 is placed thereon, as shown in' Fig. 1, wherein the ram is illustrated as somewhat moved downwardly from its uppermost position, the work readily ,fitting onto the elements 26 and 28. As the ram approaches the die, the studs 38 engagewithin the holes' 40 in the die and the elements 66 engagey and clamp the work in place. Continued downward movement of the ram engages the delements 46 and 47 with the work portions 18 ,and bend them downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2. When the member 53 engages against the die, continued downward -movement of the ram com resses the springs 54 and forces the bloc s 56 against the members 46 and 47, and the engaging inclined faces thereof force the members outwardly in a manner bending the work portions 18 to the position shown in Fig. 3. It will be noted that the member 53 normally extends to a position slightly below the elements 46 and 47, whereby this member takes the thrust of the compression of springs 54 and thereby prevents binding of the bending elements between the plate 52 and the die, the elementsbeing, therefore free to move outwardly under the action of the blocks 56.

`When the ram rises, the springs 54 expand and the engagement of the collars 44 with the inclined surfaces 50 automaticall moves the elements 46 and 47 inwardly tosieir initial position. Upon continued upward movement of the ram, the hooks 78 engage the levers 70 and tiythe members 26 and 28 to the position of ig. 8, thus permitting the work to be removed. The hooks continue on to a position above that shown in Fig. 8 and the members fall back to'their normalposition on the die, it being understood that the operator removes the work asthe lelements reach a position approaching that shown in Fig. 8.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a bending press, ing an opening work-holding elements adjacent to the edge of the opening, said elements havin under- Cut portions extending inwardly of t e opena die member havtherein and la plurality of ing, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly portions of a work piece extending over said undercut portions and into the opening, and cooperating means for bending the lower ends of said downwardly bent portions laterally beneath said undercut portions of the elements.

2. In a bending press, a Adie member having an opening therein and a plurality of work-holding elements adjacent to the edge of and entirely surrounding the opening, said elements having undercut portions extending inwardly of the opening, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly `portions of a work piece extending over said undercut portions and into the opening, cooperating means for bending the-lower ends of said downwardly bent portions laterally beneath said undercut portions of the elements, and means so mounting the elements that they may be moved to a work-releasing position. j

3. In a bending press, a die member having an opening therein and a plurality of work-holding elements adjacent to the edge of the opening, said elements having undercut portions extending inwardly of the opening, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly ortions of a work piece extending over said undercut portions and into the opening, cooperating means for bending the lower ends of said downwardly bent portions laterally beneath said undercut portions of the elements, and means so pivotally mounting the elements that their undercut portions can be'v pivoted upwardly to release the finished work.

4. In a bending press, a die member having an opening therein and a .plurality of work-holding elements adjacent to the edge of the opening, said elements having undercut portions extending inwardly of the opening, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly portions of a work piece extending over said undercut portions and into the opening, cooperating means for bending the lower ends of said downwardly bent por- `tions laterally beneath said undercut por- 'tions of the elements, and means automatically operative synchronously with the ram for moving the elements to work-releasing position.

5. In a bending press, a die member having an opening therein and a plurality of work- -holding elements adjacent to the edge of the opening, said elements having undercut portions extending inwardly of the opening, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly portionsof a work piece extending over said undercut portions and into the opening, cooperating means for bending-the lower ends of said downwardly bent portions laterally beneath Said undercut portions of the elements, means pivotally mounting the elements, and means whereby upon upward movement of the ram the elements are automatically pivoted upward to release the work. Y 6. In a bending press, a die member having an opening therein and a plurality of work-holding elements adjacent to the edge of the opening, said elements having undercut portions extending inwardly of the opening, a ram fcooperating with ,the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly portions of a work piece extending over said undercut portions and into the opening, and cooperating means carried by the ram for causing the first-named means to move outwardly and force said downwardly bent portions of the work piece beneath the undercut portions of said elements.

7. In a bending press, a die member having an opening therein and a plurality of work=holding elements adjacent to the edge of the opening, said elements havin undercut portions extending inwardly of t e opening, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly portions of a work piece eX- tending over said undercut portions and into the opening, cooperating means carried by the ram for causing the first-named means to move outwardly and force said downwardly bent portions of the work piece beneath the undercut portions of said elements, means for .withdrawing the first-named means inwardly upon upward movement of the ram, and

means so adjustably mounting said elements that they can be moved to a position releasing the finished work from the die.

8. In a press for shaping the inner edges of a ring-like plate, a die member having an opening therein and a plurality of workholding elements adjacent to the edge of and entirely surrounding the opening, said elements having undercut portions extending inwardly of the opening, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly'portions' of a work piece extending over said undercut portions and into the opening, and cooperating means carried by the ram for bending the v means-carried by the studs and ram for engaging inclined surfaces at opposite sides of the element and acting thereon to move the element laterally when engaging the die and returning the element to normal position when the ram is raised. l e

10. In a metal bending press, a die, a ram thereabove and cooperating therewith, a plate, a plurality of studs depending from the ram and supporting the plate on and beneath the ram and permitting a limited movement thereof toward and from the die relative to the ram, a bending element carried b the studs beneath and engaged by the plate, means carried by the ram and engaging an inclined surfaceon the element for moving the element laterally when the ram engages and moves toward the die, and means including resilient means for returning the` element to normal postion when the ram is raised.

11. In a yimetal bending press,.a die, a ram cooperating therewith, a bending element, a plurality of studs supporting the element, locating pins carried' by the studs and adapted to engage corresponding holes in the die, means carried by the ram and engaging an inclined surface on the element for moving the element laterally when engaging the die, and means including resilient means between the ram and element and inclined engaging surfaces between the studs and element for of the opening,

returning the element to normal position when the ram is raised.

12. In a metal bending press, a die, a ram cooperating therwith, a plurality of relatively angular bending elements in end to end relation, a plurality of studs supporting each element on the ram, locating pins carried by the studs and adapted to engage corresponding holes in the die, means carried by the ram and engaging inclined surfaces on the elements for moving the elements laterally upon downward movement of the ram and relative movement between said means and surfaces, and means for moving the elements laterally in the opposite direction upon upward movement of the ram.

13. In a bending press, a die member having an opening therein and a plurality of work-holding elements adjacent to the edge said elements having undercut portions extending inwardly of the opening, a ram cooperating with the die, means carried by the ram for engaging and bending downwardly portions of a work piece eX- tending over said undercut portions and into the opening, cooperating means for bending the lower ends of said downwardly bent porram, a plurality of studs supporting the plate on the ram and permitting a limited movement thereof toward the die, a bending element carried by the studs and engaged by the plate, means carried by the ram and engaging an inclined surface on the element for moving the element laterally when engaging the die, means including resilient means for returning the element to normal position when the ram is raised, and means reventing binding of the bending element etween the plate and -die during vsaid lateral movement of the element.

15. In a metal bending press, a die, a ram cooperating therewith, a plate carried by the ram, a plurality of studs supporting the plate on the ram and permitting a limited movement thereof toward the die, a bending element carried by the studs and engaged by the plate, resilient means normally moving the plate toward the die, a block carried by the ram and guided by engagement with the plate, the block and element having cooperating inclined surfaces for moving the element laterally upon relative movement of the block and element, means providing an abutment between. the die and plate for preventing their frictional engagement with the element during its said lateral movement, and cooperating means for returning the element laterally to its initial position upon upward movement of the ram.

In testimony whereof we aiX our signatures.

LEE F. SICKLER. PETER J. LINSTROM.

tions laterally beneath said undercut portions ofthe elements, and means preventing frictional engagement of the bending means between the ram and die during said lateral bending operation. l

14. In a metal bending press, a die, a ram cooperating therewith, a plate carried by the 

